Market day

When I was living in the cottage on Back Lane, market day really only meant two things to me. Firstly, remember not to park on the market square on Wednesday evenings and, secondly, it's more difficult to find somewhere to park on Thursdays. (Once or twice I woke with a jolt early on a Thursday morning and dragged on some clothes in order to go and move the car.)

This morning I had a meeting in the Royal, which overlooks the market square. It's had a recent return to form and if only they'd sort out their wifi, I might pop in there a bit more often when I have work to do on my own.

I must admit I don't ever shop at the market. I could argue that the main reason for that is that I'm rarely around on a Thursday but, to be honest, the real reason is that when I'm shopping, I like to browse without having to chat to the vendor. That's not me being anti-social - well, not one hundred percent that - it's more that if I engage in conversation, then I feel obliged to buy something.

I'm a bit better in small shops but maybe that is one of the reasons I go to supermarkets, despite the fact that I know I should 'shop local' more often, and prefer the anonymity of online shopping. But now that Amazon are selling food online and delivering within an hour in major cities, I wonder if people like me are taking yet another of the small steps in the long journey that will make market day a thing of the past,